World number one Iga Swiatek was beaten in three sets by Jennifer Pegula in the semi-finals of the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal - but the match will be remembered by a bizarre mid-point interruption.
The match was disrupted in the second-set tie-break when Rednex classic Cotton Eye Joe began blaring out of the court speakers during a rally.
Reigning French and US Open champion Swiatek, who has topped the women’s rankings for 72 weeks, lost out to world number three Pegula 6-2 6-7 (4) 6-4 after two-and-a-half hours.
On the Cotton Eye Joe incident, Pegula added: "I just thought it was funny. I've never had that happen, let alone with 'Cotton-Eyed Joe'.
"I was, like, 'Is this really happening right now?' Of all the songs. It was just, like, what is going on?"
no way 'Cotton Eye Joe' comes on mid-point pic.twitter.com/iCYf3hwnPG
— Ryan (@Some1NamedRyan) August 12, 2023
Poland’s Swiatek had led 4-2 in the final set after fighting back from the brink before her American opponent won the last four games.
Pegula had served for the match at 5-4 up in the second set and had led 4-2 in the tie-break before Swiatek hit back to force a deciding set.
Cotton Eye Joe started playing right after Jessica Pegula won the title in Montreal.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 13, 2023
Jess started laughing. She can’t escape this song. 😂 pic.twitter.com/W7yRwERy8D
